So here's the question: What do you think about climbing in just a sports bra? No t-shirt or tank on top?

I've always thought it was fine, but I've never felt the need or had the courage to do it myself.

Yesterday however, it was pretty darn hot, 40 degrees celsius, and I was in a climbing gym that is essentially a tin shed, and there's no air conditioning there (104 farenheit if you were wondering). I was halfway through a climb, and I gave up on maintaining my modesty. The shirt came OFF.

I don't think I've seen any girls there climbing just in a sports bra, but there's plenty of guys who do. I figured I had just as much right in that weather.

I don't think I've seen any girls there climbing just in a sports bra, but there's plenty of guys who do.

Sorry, I know I am a guy and not allowed to be here, but that really made me laugh.

Seriously though, if there isn't a set dress code, do exactly what you did. Observe what others are wearing (or not wearing, as the case may be...) and dress similarly if it makes you feel more comfortable. Just like you said, if the guys are climbing in sport bras shirtless, then there should be no problems with you doing the same.

So here's the question: What do you think about climbing in just a sports bra? No t-shirt or tank on top?

I've always thought it was fine, but I've never felt the need or had the courage to do it myself.

Yesterday however, it was pretty darn hot, 40 degrees celsius, and I was in a climbing gym that is essentially a tin shed, and there's no air conditioning there (104 farenheit if you were wondering). I was halfway through a climb, and I gave up on maintaining my modesty. The shirt came OFF.

I don't think I've seen any girls there climbing just in a sports bra, but there's plenty of guys who do. I figured I had just as much right in that weather.

It's not like I'm some creepy old lady either, I'm 17.

Thoughts?

You must be climbing in a pretty weird place. There are GUYS climbing in sports bras, but not girls?

I have seen plenty of women climbing in "just" a sports bra (usually they had pants on, too But sometimes not. Sometimes women climb in bikinis, not even sports bras). I also have climbed in a sports bra, though I am more likely to do that when bouldering, because I do not like high-waist pants, while at the same time disliking the feeling of harness belt on bare skin. So I usually wear tank top when climbing in a harness, and a sports bra when bouldering.

I've seen plenty of women exercising in non-climbing gyms wearing a sports bra with no cover-up. I have seen women running in sports bras. In this day and age it should be simply a non-issue. If you are comfortable wearing it, go ahead.

And I also want to challenge your assumption that it is somehow only o.k. for the young girl to do so, but "creepy old ladies" shouldn't. It is your body, it is your comfort, you are the one in charge of what you wear.

Here's a picture for you. The creepy old lady is more than twice your age.

So here's the question: What do you think about climbing in just a sports bra? No t-shirt or tank on top?

I've always thought it was fine, but I've never felt the need or had the courage to do it myself.

Yesterday however, it was pretty darn hot, 40 degrees celsius, and I was in a climbing gym that is essentially a tin shed, and there's no air conditioning there (104 farenheit if you were wondering). I was halfway through a climb, and I gave up on maintaining my modesty. The shirt came OFF.

I don't think I've seen any girls there climbing just in a sports bra, but there's plenty of guys who do. I figured I had just as much right in that weather.

It's not like I'm some creepy old lady either, I'm 17.

Thoughts?

i understand you're just 17, but this line made me shake my head a little.

what's a creepy old lady? do you have to be a certain age to climb in a sports bra? why would an older woman be creepy wearing a sports bra?

Don't fall into that trap. There is not 'cut-off' age where a woman should no longer be seen in public. I am too old to be self-conscious about my body, and I don't find that creepy at all. Wear whatever the hell you feel like wearing and screw what anybody else thinks.

Sorry, that was out of place, and I don't actually feel that older women have any less right to climb in what's comfortable. If anything the other way around... But I don't want to dig myself into a deeper hole haha!

Sorry, that was out of place, and I don't actually feel that older women have any less right to climb in what's comfortable. If anything the other way around... But I don't want to dig myself into a deeper hole haha!

Please don't be afraid to speak. Don't be afraid of being wrong. Don't be afraid of being right. When you dig a hole, you generally have a good idea of which way is up; digging holes is a part of human existence.

Sorry, that was out of place, and I don't actually feel that older women have any less right to climb in what's comfortable. If anything the other way around... But I don't want to dig myself into a deeper hole haha!

Please don't be afraid to speak. Don't be afraid of being wrong. Don't be afraid of being right. When you dig a hole, you generally have a good idea of which way is up; digging holes is a part of human existence.

Well said. We don't want Alimali to shut up. We just don't want her to fall into the trap of judging which women are worthy of being seen in public. We are worth a lot more than our bodies.

Lots of women climb in just sports bras and I've been doing it for years. It's just more comfortable because I have less restricted movement (thank you, Verve) and I swear there is a furnace in me because I heat up quickly.

However, I remember shunning the tshirt for the first time to run in a sports bra and I felt awkward. At your age, you're a little more conscience of showing the body, but I promise you'll get over it. If this were Europe, you wouldn't even ask the question.

And the question should be about what is more comfortable and gets the most out of your climbing, a performance oriented question not a social constructs oriented one.

For me that would be an easy question, sport bra, always. Rope to breast contact: not so nice, breast to rock contact: not so nice, breast reducing arm movement: not so nice. Having a bra that makes it feels like my breasts are firmly grabbed constantly, pretty nice.

I go out of my way to find cute sports bras that match my shorts so I can wear them sans tank top.

No one pays any attention when I'm at the crag (and if there is swimming near by, people are frequently climbing in their bikini top). BUT when I'm at the gym, I get a LOT of stares and awkward/creepy comments/faces from guys. One night I had some old jersey-shore-type lick his lips at me. GROSS.